New RS owner - Mk1 Focus RS (#336)
Discussion
Afternoon all
A few of you may have seen my thread a couple of months ago about wanting an RS (http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=129&t=969579&mid=190528&nmt=mk1+Focus+RS+%2D+want+now)...well I have good news to report, I now have one!
I will put some pics up later but thought I would start a 'project' thread, as hopefully it may be of interest to some (the Ford forum on here doesn't get enough traffic!) and because I am sure I will have a few questions along the way
I started looking for RSs a couple of months ago, with a view to buying towards the end of April (as a 21st birthday present to myself). I have been a fan of them for many years and they seem to be a rare sight near me (Essex) - although oddly I have seen more in the past month or so than I had probably seen in the 6 months beforehand!
In total I looked at 4 cars before buying one. The first one I saw was Ash's, of this forum and the RSOC (hope you don't mind me posting about it mate, if so let me know and I will edit). Ash's car was excellent, the only thing that kept me away from it was the modifications. Not many of them and they were all well done, but I had a biase towards a standard car, mainly for insurance reasons!
A couple of days later (on my 21st!) I went a bit further afield, to Bolton, Leeds and S'thopre to have a look at 3 RSs for sale at various traders. To cut a long story short I ended up putting a deposit down on the S'thopre RS - a one owner from new car with 48k on the clock. The dealer told me the guy selling had no interest in the RS marque and just thought of it as a generic sporty Ford, which I guess is probably the view most take. As a result of this view he had done nothing to the car in terms of mods etc. the RS mats and wallet were still present etc. It's not completely perfect, for example there is some slight wear to the drivers seat, but it definitely doesn't feel like the interior of an 8 year old car! Of the three I saw that day it was the only that for me had any wow factor.
On the Saturday a few days later (deposit was placed on a Tuesday) I went back up to sunny S'thorpe (slightly more stressfully than the previous journey back as the M11 was closed) to collect the car, having been serviced (inc. cambelt change), MOT'd and with a few cosmetic points sorted.
Having come from a Fiesta Zetec S TDCI and a Mondeo ST TDCI one of the first things I noticed in the RS was the significantly improved engine noise! I don't think its an engine renowned for its sound but it is a joy to the ears compared to the diesels I am used to! Another thing I noticed was the firmness of the suspension, you feel every bump! Not ideal but this is a weekend car not a daily driver - otherwise I am not sure I could live with it!
I've had the car a few weeks now and have since rediscovered the hobby of going for a drive with no destination in mind!
I am sure I am not pushing the car anywhere near its full potential, nor do I want to, but the way it accelerates out of corners always brings on a little grin
There have been a few minor niggles I have discovered and am in the process of sorting. The rear most heat shield has perished around 3 of the 4(?) nuts holding it in place, so it is mainly just resting on the exhaust and can rattle a bit at low speeds. New one has been ordered and should be at Ford ready for me to pick up tomorrow. Another concern/issue I have had has been the chargecooler pump - which is working but seems like it may be on its way out (last night I wanted to go for a litle drive, started the car with the bonnet up to check the pump still working but it didn't appear to be - got the wheel and arch liner off to have a closer look and all seemed fine). I am going to replace it with new unit for peace of mind. I know you can refurbish them yourself or buy a refurbed unit but I would rather just go for a new one and be absolutely sure all is well.
Another issue I have yet to investigate is a small coolant leak on the drivers side of the car, about 6 inches inside of the wheel. It isn't a big leak at all but whatever it is I want to get it sorted sooner rather than later before it becomes a more serious issue. If its an expensive fix I may have to see what the dealer's after sales service is like as I am happy calling the above items preventative maintenance but this repair will be more of a necessity.
In terms of plans for the car, I have none really (hence why i put the 'project' in inverted commas above, won't be anything major going on here!) - just to keep it in the best condition possible and major it looks/runs as good as it can! If I still have the car this time next year I will think about getting the underside of the car rebuilt, the pictures on the RSOC of cars that have had this done look fantastic!
Pics to follow...
A few of you may have seen my thread a couple of months ago about wanting an RS (http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=129&t=969579&mid=190528&nmt=mk1+Focus+RS+%2D+want+now)...well I have good news to report, I now have one!
I will put some pics up later but thought I would start a 'project' thread, as hopefully it may be of interest to some (the Ford forum on here doesn't get enough traffic!) and because I am sure I will have a few questions along the way
I started looking for RSs a couple of months ago, with a view to buying towards the end of April (as a 21st birthday present to myself
). I have been a fan of them for many years and they seem to be a rare sight near me (Essex) - although oddly I have seen more in the past month or so than I had probably seen in the 6 months beforehand!In total I looked at 4 cars before buying one. The first one I saw was Ash's, of this forum and the RSOC (hope you don't mind me posting about it mate, if so let me know and I will edit). Ash's car was excellent, the only thing that kept me away from it was the modifications. Not many of them and they were all well done, but I had a biase towards a standard car, mainly for insurance reasons!
A couple of days later (on my 21st!) I went a bit further afield, to Bolton, Leeds and S'thopre to have a look at 3 RSs for sale at various traders. To cut a long story short I ended up putting a deposit down on the S'thopre RS - a one owner from new car with 48k on the clock. The dealer told me the guy selling had no interest in the RS marque and just thought of it as a generic sporty Ford, which I guess is probably the view most take. As a result of this view he had done nothing to the car in terms of mods etc. the RS mats and wallet were still present etc. It's not completely perfect, for example there is some slight wear to the drivers seat, but it definitely doesn't feel like the interior of an 8 year old car! Of the three I saw that day it was the only that for me had any wow factor.
On the Saturday a few days later (deposit was placed on a Tuesday) I went back up to sunny S'thorpe (slightly more stressfully than the previous journey back as the M11 was closed) to collect the car, having been serviced (inc. cambelt change), MOT'd and with a few cosmetic points sorted.
Having come from a Fiesta Zetec S TDCI and a Mondeo ST TDCI one of the first things I noticed in the RS was the significantly improved engine noise! I don't think its an engine renowned for its sound but it is a joy to the ears compared to the diesels I am used to! Another thing I noticed was the firmness of the suspension, you feel every bump! Not ideal but this is a weekend car not a daily driver - otherwise I am not sure I could live with it!
I've had the car a few weeks now and have since rediscovered the hobby of going for a drive with no destination in mind!
I am sure I am not pushing the car anywhere near its full potential, nor do I want to, but the way it accelerates out of corners always brings on a little grin
There have been a few minor niggles I have discovered and am in the process of sorting. The rear most heat shield has perished around 3 of the 4(?) nuts holding it in place, so it is mainly just resting on the exhaust and can rattle a bit at low speeds. New one has been ordered and should be at Ford ready for me to pick up tomorrow. Another concern/issue I have had has been the chargecooler pump - which is working but seems like it may be on its way out (last night I wanted to go for a litle drive, started the car with the bonnet up to check the pump still working but it didn't appear to be - got the wheel and arch liner off to have a closer look and all seemed fine). I am going to replace it with new unit for peace of mind. I know you can refurbish them yourself or buy a refurbed unit but I would rather just go for a new one and be absolutely sure all is well.
Another issue I have yet to investigate is a small coolant leak on the drivers side of the car, about 6 inches inside of the wheel. It isn't a big leak at all but whatever it is I want to get it sorted sooner rather than later before it becomes a more serious issue. If its an expensive fix I may have to see what the dealer's after sales service is like as I am happy calling the above items preventative maintenance but this repair will be more of a necessity.
In terms of plans for the car, I have none really (hence why i put the 'project' in inverted commas above, won't be anything major going on here!) - just to keep it in the best condition possible and major it looks/runs as good as it can! If I still have the car this time next year I will think about getting the underside of the car rebuilt, the pictures on the RSOC of cars that have had this done look fantastic!
Pics to follow...
Well done on the new purchase 
The chargecooler pumps are a known issue & yours is probably about due for replacement at that mileage.
The water leak i would expect to be a metal pipe that runs in the wheel arch it corrodes & leaks new ones are available in aluminium to prevent the problem happening again http://www.aetturbosonline.co.uk/index.php?page=sh... if its not that then it may be the water pump these can be difficult to get hold of so are expensive.
The chargecooler pumps are a known issue & yours is probably about due for replacement at that mileage.
The water leak i would expect to be a metal pipe that runs in the wheel arch it corrodes & leaks new ones are available in aluminium to prevent the problem happening again http://www.aetturbosonline.co.uk/index.php?page=sh... if its not that then it may be the water pump these can be difficult to get hold of so are expensive.
I'd bet the lower pipe thats bolted to the sump, as link to aftermarket part above. Common age related issue & cheap/simple fix.
As you get used to the car try feeding the power in earlier in the bends and see how you get on, it'll pull you through where anything else would understeer like a madman.
As you get used to the car try feeding the power in earlier in the bends and see how you get on, it'll pull you through where anything else would understeer like a madman.
Thanks for the replies guys.
Neil / Aly - you were spot on with the coolant leak diagnosis. I had a look at the weekend and its that metal pipe that seems to be leaking so I have ordered the replacement in the link provided Thanks v much for that
Current to do list consists of:
Charegcooler pump - uprated AVT replacement part ordered
Air intake hose - replacement ordered (generic hosing, not OEM Ford)
Replacement water pipe - aluminium replacement ordered
Front wing/bumper brackets - noticed the bracket on one side was starting to rust when I took the arch liner off to check the chargecooler pump - will either replace with new or get mine powdercoated
Have next week off work so I want to get all those bits sorted on Sat/Sun so its available for driving next week
Also going to have a trip to Armourfend to get the rear wheel arch protection stuff fitted
Neil / Aly - you were spot on with the coolant leak diagnosis. I had a look at the weekend and its that metal pipe that seems to be leaking so I have ordered the replacement in the link provided
Thanks v much for that Current to do list consists of:
Charegcooler pump - uprated AVT replacement part ordered
Air intake hose - replacement ordered (generic hosing, not OEM Ford)
Replacement water pipe - aluminium replacement ordered
Front wing/bumper brackets - noticed the bracket on one side was starting to rust when I took the arch liner off to check the chargecooler pump - will either replace with new or get mine powdercoated
Have next week off work so I want to get all those bits sorted on Sat/Sun so its available for driving next week
Also going to have a trip to Armourfend to get the rear wheel arch protection stuff fitted
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